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Oral Health Care for Older Adults

As you get older you may experience changes in your mouth that will require you to increase your homecare routine. Shifting of teeth can occur which can make areas more difficult to clean properly. Your teeth and gums can be negatively affected by many health conditions including diabetes and heart disease. Many medications can also cause problems such as dry mouth. Dry mouth can make it more difficult to eat, swallow, talk and can lead to more cavities or infection. Remember to drink lots of water and there are products we can recommend that can “help” with dry mouth.

Make sure your dental routine includes the following:

Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day (after breakfast and before bed).

Floss between your teeth every day.

See your dentist regularly for a checkup and cleaning. How often people should see the dentist varies from person to person, we will recommend to you how often we think you need to come.

One more thing to know is your risk of getting oral cancer increases as you get older. We routinely screen our patients for oral cancer at every checkup and cleaning appointment; however, if you see any changes in your mouth please call us for an appointment.

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Doctors Alyson and Doug Emery have been practicing dentistry in Long Beach since 1985. Together they have successfully treated thousands of patients. We offer a wide range of solutions to any dental need for you and your family. They are both widely considered as two of the best dentists in Long Beach.